If New Zealand escape Wellington with a draw, as England did last week in Dunedin, the weather will have aided their cause. As if on cue, a record dry summer is ending with a Test series to play. It would be unfair, though, to look past the batting of Kane Williamson in New Zealand's second innings, which has been another reminder of an emerging talent on the world stage.

Helping his team to safety at the Basin Reserve is not new to Williamson. Last year, facing South Africa, he made an unbeaten 102 against an attack featuring Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel (who took all six wickets), Vernon Philander and Marchant de Lange. It was his second Test hundred, to follow a debut ton against India, and was an important innings for someone who had not kicked on from that notable start to his career.

Williamson's career numbers do not jump off the page. A Test average of 31.86 after 22 matches is not the hallmark of a No.3, and he averaged under 40 in first-class cricket during his spell with Gloucestershire, but New Zealand are being patient with him because, beneath the statistics, there is a considerable batsman in the making. Anyone who watched his unbeaten 145 in the one-day series against South Africa will have realised that this is a batsman who can repay the faith.

Clearly, he cannot be given forever to fully bed into Test cricket but New Zealand are not so rich in talent that Williamson cannot be persevered with. Both his innings in this match - he was playing very comfortably until chipping a catch back to Stuart Broad for 42 - have suggested that his average will go one way in the long term. His 135 against Sri Lanka, in Colombo, last year to help set up the series-leveling victory was a fantastic display of batsmanship.

New Zealand have not had a steady No. 3 since Stephen Fleming retired. Williamson was worked over by the South Africa quick bowlers in the Test series in January, but there is no disgrace in struggling against Steyn and Philander on their home patch. Still only 22, he has been rapidly promoted up the order - his maiden hundred came at No.6, his one against South Africa at No.4 - and asked to forge a career in a tough position. Then there is the pressure of being mentioned in the same breath as Martin Crowe. That is not an easy burden to handle.

Ideally, Williamson would have been offered longer to establish his game before being elevated but there is a jam for middle-order slots and less of a clamour for top-order berths in the current generation of New Zealand batsman, although Hamish Rutherford has recently gone against that trend. There is a strong argument that Brendon McCullum should be batting at No. 3, to allow Williamson time to develop at five or six, but the captain feels, and his current form is compelling, that he is best as a counter-attacker lower down.

Therefore, Williamson is the man who has to be prepared to face the second ball of the innings. He has certainly been in early on many occasions. Waiting behind the 158-run stand between Rutherford and Peter Fulton in Dunedin was a novelty for him; the first-wicket partnerships of 6 and 25 in this match are more what Williamson has got used to.

So far he has faced 174 balls in the second innings and rarely looked in much trouble. England reviewed for an lbw when he had 1 but an inside edge saved him. That was against a full delivery and, perhaps, England have not dragged him forward quite as much as they could have because Williamson looks comfortable on the back foot in defence or attack. The back-foot punch through the off side is becoming a trademark.

New Zealand have also been smart in their recent handling of Williamson. They have left him out of the Twenty20 side since the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year. Although there are exceptions with players who instantly grace three formats, the shortest format is not the game to be honing tight techniques. That is not to say Williamson cannot adapt in the future, but right now there are a good supply of batsman in New Zealand who can give the ball a thump, far fewer who have the potential to bat for a day in a Test match. Williamson is one of those.

williamson is a young player playing international cricket. His stats are going to be a bit average for a few years, but when he hits 26/27 he should be a real top class batsman

mukesh_LOVE.cricket
on March 18, 2013, 20:37 GMT

Kane williamson is a class act in the making , no doubt about it , technically correct , young and seems to have the right temperament for test cricket , i have always wondered why there was not many article about him in cric info

BenGundry
on March 18, 2013, 16:07 GMT

@Pardo, Another comparison closer to home: at the same age, Martin Crowe had played the same number of tests (22), had scored 100 less runs (1106), and had one less century. His average (31.60) was near identical to Williamson. Martin Crowe's career really took off at this point, so the next 1-2 years is a key point in his development

pardo
on March 18, 2013, 14:28 GMT

Let's not get too carried away. Williamson has the potential to be very good, possibly one of the top two or three kiwis of all time, but, by way of comparison, by the time Cook was the same age (22 yrs, 222 days) he had played two fewer tests (20 vs 22), but had scored over 300 more runs (1,554 vs 1211), twice as many centuries (6 vs 3) and had an average more than 12 runs better (44.40 vs 31.86).

While Williamson has had to find his feed amidst the omnishambles that has been NZ Cricket for the last two years, Cook's career started with the decline of Fletcher's reign, the Fredalo affair and the Moores/Pieterson saga. Williamson has the potential for become better than his current numbers suggest but he is not yet even approaching great and certainly not "the best No 3 in the world".

nzcricket174
on March 18, 2013, 10:04 GMT

He is an outstanding talent. He has the potential to be a world beater. The fact that he is only 22 gives him an immense amount of time to fine-tune his game. It would be good to see him develop a good partnership with Rutherford, in the Ponting/Hayden mould. By the time his career ends, hopefully he will have scored in excess of 20 test centuries.

on March 18, 2013, 7:19 GMT

I think it's Taylor's turn at #3. Williamson can have #4 to develop himself.

jplterrors
on March 18, 2013, 3:38 GMT

easily the best #3 in test cricket atm, look forward to watching him dominate for the next 15 yrs

Sombrehombre
on March 18, 2013, 3:24 GMT

Three things Kane Williamson has going for him that point to a very bright future: talent, attitude and intelligence. He already looks far better than his low 30s average and I have every confidence he will be a top quality player, certainly by NZ standards.

At 22 years of age i would say he is already well ahead of where you would expect him to be, so patience indeed is what we need.

Baxter_P
on March 17, 2013, 23:41 GMT

My thoughts exactly. Williamson's stats absolutely don't reflect his ability, and certainly don't even hint at his potential. But specific innings he's played really show what a batsman he can be. In his defence, as Andrew points out, he's been thrown into a very difficult position because of a lack of options (if Ryder was available more often, that would be different). I think if Kane was batting at 5 his average would be 35-40; because of NZ's chronic opening problems, 3 is an incredibly difficult spot for a batsman to develop, when you are so frequently under pressure after an early wicket. But Williamson will become a world class test batsman (or at least, he has all the tools to be one), particularly if we find a solid opening pair (Rutherford will be one half of that, perhaps Raval will step up next season or Guptill will lift his test performances) and we can set up a potent middle order of Taylor, Ryder and McCullum at 4/5/6 at some point.

Patchmaster
on March 17, 2013, 23:26 GMT

The one thing that has eluded NZ batsmen in the past is a 'Daddy century' as Gooch calls the, i.e. someone to go and score a double century. McCullum needs to show the way here, he too often gets out in the 70's or 80's, If he went on to score 200, I think Williamson will follow. McCullum is starting to turn this team around thouhg, and I respect him for that.

Yevghenny
on March 19, 2013, 13:44 GMT

williamson is a young player playing international cricket. His stats are going to be a bit average for a few years, but when he hits 26/27 he should be a real top class batsman

mukesh_LOVE.cricket
on March 18, 2013, 20:37 GMT

Kane williamson is a class act in the making , no doubt about it , technically correct , young and seems to have the right temperament for test cricket , i have always wondered why there was not many article about him in cric info

BenGundry
on March 18, 2013, 16:07 GMT

@Pardo, Another comparison closer to home: at the same age, Martin Crowe had played the same number of tests (22), had scored 100 less runs (1106), and had one less century. His average (31.60) was near identical to Williamson. Martin Crowe's career really took off at this point, so the next 1-2 years is a key point in his development

pardo
on March 18, 2013, 14:28 GMT

Let's not get too carried away. Williamson has the potential to be very good, possibly one of the top two or three kiwis of all time, but, by way of comparison, by the time Cook was the same age (22 yrs, 222 days) he had played two fewer tests (20 vs 22), but had scored over 300 more runs (1,554 vs 1211), twice as many centuries (6 vs 3) and had an average more than 12 runs better (44.40 vs 31.86).

While Williamson has had to find his feed amidst the omnishambles that has been NZ Cricket for the last two years, Cook's career started with the decline of Fletcher's reign, the Fredalo affair and the Moores/Pieterson saga. Williamson has the potential for become better than his current numbers suggest but he is not yet even approaching great and certainly not "the best No 3 in the world".

nzcricket174
on March 18, 2013, 10:04 GMT

He is an outstanding talent. He has the potential to be a world beater. The fact that he is only 22 gives him an immense amount of time to fine-tune his game. It would be good to see him develop a good partnership with Rutherford, in the Ponting/Hayden mould. By the time his career ends, hopefully he will have scored in excess of 20 test centuries.

on March 18, 2013, 7:19 GMT

I think it's Taylor's turn at #3. Williamson can have #4 to develop himself.

jplterrors
on March 18, 2013, 3:38 GMT

easily the best #3 in test cricket atm, look forward to watching him dominate for the next 15 yrs

Sombrehombre
on March 18, 2013, 3:24 GMT

Three things Kane Williamson has going for him that point to a very bright future: talent, attitude and intelligence. He already looks far better than his low 30s average and I have every confidence he will be a top quality player, certainly by NZ standards.

At 22 years of age i would say he is already well ahead of where you would expect him to be, so patience indeed is what we need.

Baxter_P
on March 17, 2013, 23:41 GMT

My thoughts exactly. Williamson's stats absolutely don't reflect his ability, and certainly don't even hint at his potential. But specific innings he's played really show what a batsman he can be. In his defence, as Andrew points out, he's been thrown into a very difficult position because of a lack of options (if Ryder was available more often, that would be different). I think if Kane was batting at 5 his average would be 35-40; because of NZ's chronic opening problems, 3 is an incredibly difficult spot for a batsman to develop, when you are so frequently under pressure after an early wicket. But Williamson will become a world class test batsman (or at least, he has all the tools to be one), particularly if we find a solid opening pair (Rutherford will be one half of that, perhaps Raval will step up next season or Guptill will lift his test performances) and we can set up a potent middle order of Taylor, Ryder and McCullum at 4/5/6 at some point.

Patchmaster
on March 17, 2013, 23:26 GMT

The one thing that has eluded NZ batsmen in the past is a 'Daddy century' as Gooch calls the, i.e. someone to go and score a double century. McCullum needs to show the way here, he too often gets out in the 70's or 80's, If he went on to score 200, I think Williamson will follow. McCullum is starting to turn this team around thouhg, and I respect him for that.

righthandbat
on March 17, 2013, 23:13 GMT

NZ's batting order actually looks pretty reasonable on paper but they just need a quality opening bat to go with Rutherford long term. If Williamson can develop more into that really quality number 3 NZ may begin to climb the ranks.

shortsillypoint
on March 17, 2013, 11:11 GMT

Already NZ's most reliable batsman - if only they would give him some more bowling. Two wickets in just four overs in the last innings - under bowled all the time.

bobbo2
on March 17, 2013, 10:01 GMT

Have lot of time for Williamson. Has a good head and looks the goods. I just hope NZ look after him money wise so he can stick with being the best test player he can be. Great to see NZ fighting again. McCullum is the right captain for the team and in fairness Hesson is doing a good job despite the Taylor muck up.

on March 17, 2013, 8:11 GMT

The mention of his 145* in SA is absolutely spot on. I for one can remember Williamson playing aggressively, yet at no point looked at risk of getting out or fazed by the threat of some of the current best bowlers in home conditions. It's a shame that Williamson hasn't reached his full potential - he has had many bad starts and unfortunate ducks - but he has at least 11 more years to be one of the great NZ Test batsman, or even world-class.

Having said that he hasn't exactly been given the best environment to flourish in, with the likes of Guptill & McCullum putting him under unnecessary early pressure, and the reshuffling of his position in T20s, making a format unsuited for him even more uncomfortable. Not to mention the annoyance of being part of one of the worst Test (Top8) side.

The future should be bright for Kane. Would be fantastic to see him with a 45+ average squaring it off as captain against a Warner-led Aus side - something I would love to see.

on March 17, 2013, 7:36 GMT

The lad is certainly impressive. He just has to bring those good innings closer together ... definitely talented, and has the right attitude for test cricket.

No featured comments at the moment.

on March 17, 2013, 7:36 GMT

The lad is certainly impressive. He just has to bring those good innings closer together ... definitely talented, and has the right attitude for test cricket.

on March 17, 2013, 8:11 GMT

The mention of his 145* in SA is absolutely spot on. I for one can remember Williamson playing aggressively, yet at no point looked at risk of getting out or fazed by the threat of some of the current best bowlers in home conditions. It's a shame that Williamson hasn't reached his full potential - he has had many bad starts and unfortunate ducks - but he has at least 11 more years to be one of the great NZ Test batsman, or even world-class.

Having said that he hasn't exactly been given the best environment to flourish in, with the likes of Guptill & McCullum putting him under unnecessary early pressure, and the reshuffling of his position in T20s, making a format unsuited for him even more uncomfortable. Not to mention the annoyance of being part of one of the worst Test (Top8) side.

The future should be bright for Kane. Would be fantastic to see him with a 45+ average squaring it off as captain against a Warner-led Aus side - something I would love to see.

bobbo2
on March 17, 2013, 10:01 GMT

Have lot of time for Williamson. Has a good head and looks the goods. I just hope NZ look after him money wise so he can stick with being the best test player he can be. Great to see NZ fighting again. McCullum is the right captain for the team and in fairness Hesson is doing a good job despite the Taylor muck up.

shortsillypoint
on March 17, 2013, 11:11 GMT

Already NZ's most reliable batsman - if only they would give him some more bowling. Two wickets in just four overs in the last innings - under bowled all the time.

righthandbat
on March 17, 2013, 23:13 GMT

NZ's batting order actually looks pretty reasonable on paper but they just need a quality opening bat to go with Rutherford long term. If Williamson can develop more into that really quality number 3 NZ may begin to climb the ranks.

Patchmaster
on March 17, 2013, 23:26 GMT

The one thing that has eluded NZ batsmen in the past is a 'Daddy century' as Gooch calls the, i.e. someone to go and score a double century. McCullum needs to show the way here, he too often gets out in the 70's or 80's, If he went on to score 200, I think Williamson will follow. McCullum is starting to turn this team around thouhg, and I respect him for that.

Baxter_P
on March 17, 2013, 23:41 GMT

My thoughts exactly. Williamson's stats absolutely don't reflect his ability, and certainly don't even hint at his potential. But specific innings he's played really show what a batsman he can be. In his defence, as Andrew points out, he's been thrown into a very difficult position because of a lack of options (if Ryder was available more often, that would be different). I think if Kane was batting at 5 his average would be 35-40; because of NZ's chronic opening problems, 3 is an incredibly difficult spot for a batsman to develop, when you are so frequently under pressure after an early wicket. But Williamson will become a world class test batsman (or at least, he has all the tools to be one), particularly if we find a solid opening pair (Rutherford will be one half of that, perhaps Raval will step up next season or Guptill will lift his test performances) and we can set up a potent middle order of Taylor, Ryder and McCullum at 4/5/6 at some point.

Sombrehombre
on March 18, 2013, 3:24 GMT

Three things Kane Williamson has going for him that point to a very bright future: talent, attitude and intelligence. He already looks far better than his low 30s average and I have every confidence he will be a top quality player, certainly by NZ standards.

At 22 years of age i would say he is already well ahead of where you would expect him to be, so patience indeed is what we need.

jplterrors
on March 18, 2013, 3:38 GMT

easily the best #3 in test cricket atm, look forward to watching him dominate for the next 15 yrs

on March 18, 2013, 7:19 GMT

I think it's Taylor's turn at #3. Williamson can have #4 to develop himself.